Do You Have Stress or Trauma-Related Hair Loss?

PRP for Hair Loss

Accidents and traumatic events lead to all kinds of injury and harm, some that are readily apparent and some that, although they could be a result of the accident, may not seem related initially. Hair loss is one example of this. Lost hair that thins from all over the scalp is not unusual following the trauma of a severe motor vehicle accident, workplace accident, or another personal injury. And you may not relate it to the traumatic event since it can occur a few months after the accident.

What Is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluviumthe stress and trauma-related hair loss mentioned above. In many cases, it is a temporary hair loss condition. But when a large percentage of hairs on your head (up to 50 percent) gets caught in the shower drain or fills a hairbrush, it’s alarming, even if you know it is the result of your traumatic incident. This lost hair, which should have been in an active growing phase, suddenly falls out!

The reason this shedding occurs three or four months after the accident has to do with the hair growth cycle. In telogen effluvium, a stress-induced dysfunction sends the normal hair growth cycle out of whack, pushing the actively growing hairs forward into the resting (or shedding) phase, causing them to fall out a few months later.

Telogen effluvium usually lasts upwards of six months. Sometimes continuing physical or mental trauma could cause telogen effluvium to become chronic. Medications that you take after the traumatic event, including some types of painkillers, may have hair loss as a side effect, but this usually clears up within six months as well.

Are There Other Types of Trauma-Related Hair Loss?

A hair treatment doctor has techniques that can accelerate the hair regrowth process. She can speak with you about services that may clear up telogen effluvium as well. Hair loss can also be the result of alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune condition that can be triggered by severe shock. Alopecia areata leads to rounded bald patches on just about any area of the scalp. This has different symptoms than telogen effluvium, as patients have bald spots or patches rather than just serious hair shedding.

Another stress-related hair loss condition is called trichotillomania. People with this condition have an irresistible compulsion to pull hair out of their scalps, eyebrows, or other areas of the body. This hair pulling may be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings.

Why Should You See A Hair Treatment Doctor?

If you are interested in hair loss treatment, you would be well-advised to work with a doctor who is a professional hair loss specialist rather than trying to solve your issue with over-the-counter products. Some over-the-counter products might be better avoided depending on the extent of your accident-related injuries and medical profile. Plus, you’ll want the doctor to supply medical documentation of your condition as you will need if you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit. Set up a one-on-one consultation with a hair treatment doctor to discuss your individual needs and concerns.

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